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Michigan
Research Outline
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Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Societies
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

GAZETTEERSLook this term up in the glossary.


Several helpful gazetteersLook this term up in the glossary. of Michigan have been published. Three of the better sources for finding place names are:

Blois, John T. Gazetteer of the State of Michigan. Detroit: S.L. Rood, 1939. (FHL film 897469 item 1; fiche 6051130; computer number 262863.)

Romig, Walter. Michigan Place Names. Grosse Pointe, Mich.: N.p., 197-. (FHL book 977.4 E2r; film 982202 item 1; computer number 266224.)

Michigan Gazetteer. Wilmington, Del.: American Historical Publications, 1991. (FHL book 977.4 E5mg; computer number 512928.) A historical gazetteer which gives detailed information about events that have occurred and the individuals who participated.


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GENEALOGYLook this term up in the glossary.


Most archivesLook this term up in the glossary., historical societiesLook this term up in the glossary., and genealogical societiesLook this term up in the glossary. have special collections and indexes of genealogical value.

Centennial Celebrations Collections. Beginning in 1976, Michigan issued certificates to applicants who could prove direct descent from an ancestor living in Michigan a century earlier. The records are in:

Centennial Family Certificate Application Files: A Project of the Michigan Genealogical Council. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1983. (On 81 FHL films; computer number 39377. Not available at Family History Centers.) Michigan settlers by 1876 and their descendants. The questionnaires, applications, vital statistics, and documentation are alphabetical by ancestor.

Centennial Family Certificate Applications: A Project of the Michigan Genealogical Council. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1983. (On 12 FHL films; computer number 39376. Not available at Family History Centers.) Same as above but questionnaires only. Questionnaires show name and address of applicant and lineage chart. Alphabetical by ancestor.

Michigan Centennial File Index. Lansing, Mich: Microform System, Inc., [198-?]. (FHL fiche 6334362–64; computer number 625201. Not available at Family History Centers.) Indexes to the previous two collections by ancestor, applicant, and certificate number.

Michigan Sesquicentennial Pioneer Files and Indexes, ca. 1986–1988. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1994. (On 129 FHL films; computer number 625206. Not available at Family History Centers.) Michigan settlers prior to 1837 and their descendants. Four indexes by applicants, pioneers, certificate number, and participants who did not qualify. Applications, certificates, and indexes from the Library of Michigan and State Archives of Michigan.

The originals are at the Library of Michigan.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) CollectionLook this term up in the glossary.. The DAR has collected transcripts of Bible records, cemetery records, church records, marriages, deaths, obituaries, and wills:

Daughters of the American Revolution (Michigan). Genealogical Records. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1973. (On 9 FHL films; computer number 311093.) Includes index.

Daughters of the American Revolution (Michigan). Genealogical Collection. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1971. (On 40 FHL films; computer number 453517.) Many volumes are individually indexed. Most are arranged by county or town name.

These volumes are also available at the DAR Library, in the Burton Historical Collection, and at the Library of Michigan.

Pioneer Records. For families in early Michigan see:

Michigan Pioneer Records, 1800–1900. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1973, 1974, 1976. (On 13 FHL films; computer number 363851.) Birth, marriage, death, burial, and previous residence information. Indexed.

Michigan. State Library. Pioneer Family Collection. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1973. (FHL films 927650–67; computer number 279789.) Includes folders (alphabetically arranged) of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and other materials for various surnames. The collection is also at the Library of Michigan.

Michigan. State Library. Link Collection. Lansing, Mich.: State Library, 1973. (On 12 FHL films; computer number 279784.) A collection (alphabetically arranged) of research notebooks, folders, and newspaper clippings. The collection is also at the Library of Michigan.

Surname Indexes. For alphabetical surname indexes see:

Western Michigan Genealogical Society (Grand Rapids, Michigan). Surname Index, 1600s–1900s. Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1976. (FHL film 1002371–72; computer number 313078.) A card index containing genealogical information from lineage charts, family Bibles, and other sources. The index is also at the Grand Rapids Public Library.

DeZeeuw, Donald J., ed. The Michigan Surname Index. Lansing, Mich.: Michigan Genealogical Council, 1984. (FHL book 977.4 D22m; computer number 298388.) Contains information on more than 100,000 Michigan ancestors. Lists the names and often the birth, marriage, and death dates, localities, and spouse or other relatives.

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